Lifestyle inflation is sneaky. It creeps up on us while we’re busy living our lives. One day, it’s an extra takeaway coffee. The next, it’s a few more items added to the online shopping cart. We tell ourselves, “I work hard—I deserve this,” or “If my friends can afford it, so can I.” But before we know it, our expenses balloon, and we’re left wondering how we ended up living paycheck to paycheck.

I consider myself a fairly frugal person, but even I’ve fallen into the trap of mindless spending. That takeaway curry? Delicious, but was it really worth it? Could I have made something just as good at home? These questions led me to a financial reset—a low-buy year challenge—and this time, I’m doing it differently.

Here’s how I’m using the principles of Atomic Habits by James Clear to reset my finances, cut back on unnecessary spending, and build healthier money habits.

The Problem: Lifestyle Inflation and Mindless Spending

For me, the biggest culprit was food. Eating out, takeout, deliveries—it all adds up. My husband and I bond over food, and living in a city with endless culinary options made it easy to justify. “It’s an experience,” we’d say. But over time, it became less about the experience and more about convenience.

Sound familiar? Maybe your weakness isn’t food—it’s clothes, skincare, or online shopping. Whatever it is, when luxuries become routine, they lose their joy. That’s when it’s time for a reset.

The Solution: A Low-Buy Year Challenge

This year, I committed to a low-buy challenge, but with a twist. Instead of overwhelming myself with a year-long goal, I broke it down into 30-day sprints, focusing on one category each month. Here’s how I’m doing it:

1. February: No food deliveries
2. March: No eating out
3. April: No impulse purchases
4. And so on…

This approach makes the challenge manageable and gives me small wins along the way.

How Atomic Habits Helped Me Succeed

James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a game-changer for building better habits. Here’s how I applied his principles to my low-buy challenge:

1. Make It Obvious

Set up your environment for success. For me, this meant:

• Deleting food delivery apps
• Unsubscribing from marketing emails
• Creating visual reminders of my goals (like a savings tracker for our future home)

By removing temptations, I made it easier to stick to my plan.

2. Make It Attractive

Reframe the challenge as something positive. Instead of focusing on what I’m giving up, I focused on what I’m gaining:

• More money saved for our future home
• Healthier eating habits
• A sense of accomplishment

I also made eating at home more appealing by turning it into an experience—candles, music, and no phones allowed.

3. Make It Easy

Reduce friction for good habits and add barriers to bad ones. For example:

• I created a collection of quick, easy recipes for busy days.
• I started grocery shopping twice a week to ensure we always had food at home.
• I packed snacks when we went out to avoid the temptation of buying food.

4. Make It Satisfying

Celebrate small wins to stay motivated. For me, this meant:

• Setting up a separate savings account for our future home and watching the balance grow.
• Allowing myself one date night a week after a month of no eating out.

Tips for Starting Your Own Low-Buy Challenge

1. Define Your “Why”
   What’s your North Star? Is it saving for a house, paying off debt, or simply simplifying your life? Having a clear goal will keep you motivated.
2. Start Small
   Focus on one category at a time. Whether it’s food, clothes, or online shopping, tackle it in 30-day increments.
3. Be Realistic
   Don’t set rules that are too strict. Allow yourself exceptions, like buying secondhand clothes or eating out once a week for social occasions.
4. Track Your Progress
   Use a savings tracker or journal to monitor your spending and celebrate milestones.
5. Find a Community
   Share your journey with others. Whether it’s through social media, a Discord group, or friends and family, having support makes a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

Resetting your finances isn’t about deprivation—it’s about intentionality. By applying the principles of Atomic Habits, I’ve been able to cut back on unnecessary spending, save more, and rediscover the joy in simple pleasures.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your spending habits, I encourage you to try a low-buy challenge. Start small, stay consistent, and remember: it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

Let’s do this together! Share your low-buy goals in the comments below, and let’s support each other on this journey to financial freedom.